The Campaign Builder's Guild

Quote from: Elemental_Elf

Quote from: NomadicAh. Well now we come to that ultimate question. What do you envision players doing within this setting?

That is the most difficult question of all.

The easiest answer would be "the next war begins and the PCs fight for one side.' To make it feel less railroady, the PCs could be members of the Special Forces (Talia, Demari, Guardian) thus giving them a free hand to do as they please in the war.

Another easy option would be a police/crime syndicate style campaign. For a freer option, the PCs could be freelancing mercenaries or bounty hunters akin to Cowboy Bebop. Still another option would be to have the PCs be normal people who get involved with some sort of solar-wide conspiracy.

I suppose this setting, like most modern/near modern settings, suffer from the lack of easily added BBEGs that don't necessarily mess with the setting as a whole (compared to say a Star Wars or a Mass Effect or your run of the mill Fantasy).

So you're looking for a more divset style setting?

Quote from: NomadicSo you're looking for a more divset style setting?

I've never been a proponent in the belief that there must be a Div-Set v Ethocentric divide. Any reasonable setting should be open enough to allow DMs to do want yet the setting should, on the whole, be focused enough on common ideas to maintain a consistent theme.

Quote from: Elemental_Elf

Quote from: NomadicSo you're looking for a more divset style setting?

I've never been a proponent in the belief that there must be a Div-Set v Ethocentric divide. Any reasonable setting should be open enough to allow DMs to do want yet the setting should, on the whole, be focused enough on common ideas to maintain a consistent theme.

I wasn't talking about the divide. I was talking about the fact that it seems you are looking for a more divset style for your setting vs ethocentric. I don't look at it like a divide like some do, I view it simply as describing words. It will help me understand what sort of setting environment you are trying to craft for your players.

Quote from: Nomadic

Quote from: Elemental_Elf

Quote from: NomadicSo you're looking for a more divset style setting?

I've never been a proponent in the belief that there must be a Div-Set v Ethocentric divide. Any reasonable setting should be open enough to allow DMs to do want yet the setting should, on the whole, be focused enough on common ideas to maintain a consistent theme.

I wasn't talking about the divide. I was talking about the fact that it seems you are looking for a more divset style for your setting vs ethocentric. I don't look at it like a divide like some do, I view it simply as describing words. It will help me understand what sort of setting environment you are trying to craft for your players.

 In that case, yes it would be leaning more Div-Set. I can't pic any of the sub categories since I don't think any genuinely apply (there is a set of pervasive themes in the setting; this set prevents the setting from becoming a sink setting and thus it was not built blindly or with no intentional Ethos).

[note] [ooc]I plan on updating this section regularly so as to allow every one, both InnerSOLians new and old, an easily accessed glossary of terms and concepts. This is definitely a work in progress. Right now I've tried to include many of the important countries/organizations/corporations but this is by no means complete or comprehensive.  If I add more than a few items at a time, I will make not note of it in a separate post.


Last Updated: 6-13-2010
Key Items Added: Mega Carrier[/ooc] [/note]

'¢   Alliance, Western: Large Military Alliance of the North American Union and the Confederation of South America. The Alliance is often viewed as the preeminent Terran Super Power due to its massive space navy, its large Lunar Colonies and its EL1 Colony Cluster. The Alliance has been involved in most major conflicts that have struck the solar system since its secret signing during the waning years of the autocratic United Nations. The Alliance is fervently opposed to the Martian Totality as the Alliance views it as nothing more than an illegitimate fascist regime.

'¢   Altered: The next race would be those humans who genetically alter themselves to better cope with the rigors of outer-space. These include skeletal and musculature enhancements, larger more efficient lungs, etc. These genetic alterations are strictly regulated within Terran-controlled territories. A derogatory term for Altered is Augmen, however this term has been conflated with the extreme augmentation employed by the Martians. Many people on Earth do not distinguish between simple genetic alterations used by the Altered and the massive genome restructure used by the Martians.

'¢   Argent Nexus Imperative (ANI): The ANI is the secret military police force employed by the Totality with the aim of rooting out sedition, religion and other un-Martian beliefs. The ANI has free reign in any land or colony controlled by the Totality (including Guam and Madagascar). The Argent Nexus Imperative also serves as the Martian intelligence and counter-intelligence agency.

'¢   Artmen: Artmen, or Artificial Men, are humans who have downloaded their consciousnesses into an artificial body. These bodies range in size, complexity and abilities. Most are humanoid, though some choose a more eclectic form (such as forms that emulate animals (especially Squids), small boxes with varying numbers of thin multi-purpose manipulator arms, large automated Mechs, etc.). There are two main purposes for downloading one's consciousness into an artificial body - The organic form was greatly damaged in some way (disease, injury, etc.) or is a part of a growing number of people that believe the next step in human evolution lies with merging the human soul with the machine.

'¢   Augmen: Augmen, or Augmented Men,  is a generic term used to describe any individual who undergoes a process where by there genes are manipulated to not only eliminate disease and defects but for enhancements to create a superior human being. The practice is not very common on the garden world of Earth but on other planets and for those living in Space, it is almost a necessity given the harsher environments they live in (i.e. lower gravity, dangers of space, the need for every individual to be healthy, etc.). Further, in Space, there is a general consensus that Augmenting the Human genome is the next logical step in human evolution. There are many different Augmen templates available, the most common being the Lunar and Martian Templates, both of which focus on allowing humans to live in an environment with a much lower gravity than Earth's. The Lunar Template focuses on simply making each individual as 'normal' as possible given the strain of the environment. The Martian template, however, goes much further in that it specifically making humans stronger, faster and smarter. The Lunar template is allowed by most governments on Earth however, the Martian template or any template approaching 'radical' alteration of the human genome is illegal.

'¢   Australia, Republic of: An independent country on earth that is ravenously pro-naturals and very anti-space. Ironically, this has led the country to be a strong supporter of Mars as their two ideologies of have a certain similarity in vision (Australia desires the end of contact with Space and Mars wishes to break the back of Earth and see Mars rise to be the leader of Humanity in space). During the Ares War, Thousands of Martians were stationed in Australia and it served as a vital hub of all terran based missions until Madagascar was conquered.  

'¢   Black Tonbo: Black Tonbo is the largest organized crime syndicate in the Mars Sphere. The organization maintains an ambivalent attitude towards the Totality, though leans against it if for no other reason that Black Tonbo's disgust for the ANI's mandate to hunt Black Tonbo members down. Tonbo supplies the Maquis with both information and supplies when it can.

'¢   Demari: Demari (Democratic Aristocracy) is an independent branch of the Martian military that is composed of elite troops specifically trained to be the best mobiru and ship crews in the Solar System. four of the five Martian Barbarossa-class Mega Carriers (the Barbarossa, Saladin, Lionheart and Augustus). Demari was instrumental in the Martian's success during the Ares War, handily defeating both the Russian Talia Group and the Alliance's Guardians.

'¢   Empire, Caesarean: An Empire of Augmen founded in the void beyond the Asteroid Belt. The Emprie is based out of three super-massive O'Neill-class Space Colonies, along with an impressive fleet. The Caesareans seek the whole sale slaughter of all Naturals to bring forth a new era ruled by Homo Excellentia (Augmen).

'¢   Federation, Russian: The country of Russia that includes much of central Asia. The Russian Federation is often viewed as the political and military counterbalance to the Western Alliance. Russia maintains a handful of Lunar colonies and possesses military bases in many of the Space Colonies. Russia lost much of its military during the Ares war and has thus been rebuilding quickly.  

'¢   Homo Sapiens Exemplar: The species name of the natural Humans. Exemplar, meaning original, was added to differentiate natural humans from those who alter their genes.

'¢   Homo Sapiens Palmarium: Is a species name used to describe the most radically genetically altered humans. Palmarium means Splendid or Oustanding. This specific species is confined to a relatively small population that live beyond the asteroid belt.  

'¢   Homo Sapiens Rigisamus: A term used to describe the Martian brand of genetically altered humans. Due to Mars' lower gravity many unique alterations were required. Unlike Homo Sapiens Palmarium, Homo Sapiens Rigisamus is truly a unique sub-species of Humanity given that there are roughly 1.5 billion Rigisamians. The word Rigisamus is derived from one of the Roman God Mars' epithets meaning King of Kings.

'¢   Japan: An independent country on Earth, Japan is a very advanced country that possesses a Lunar City. Japan maintains a disproportionate presence on the world stage due to it's Kyozai Electronics which is the leader in Modiru Production.  

'¢   Leistung: Leistung are high performance Mobiru designed for ace pilots. The first Leistung, the golden-colored Angel, was piloted by now-Supreme Chancellor Wilhelm Du-Klein during the Nation War. Since then, the concept of Leistung has become ubiquitous across the major naval powers.

'¢   Madagascar, Republic of: Madagascar is an independent country on Earth. The Republic is a puppet state created by the Martian Totality to justify its military occupation over the island. Madagascar is the Totality's largest holding on Earth.

'¢   Maquis: The Maquis is an anti-Totality organization that survives in the fringes of the Martian society. The organization is partially funded by wealthy citizens who despise the Totality as well as the Western Alliance. The Maquis maintains a sizable, though secret, space navy, typically stations well outside the Totality's grasp.

'¢   Mega Carrier: Mega Carrier is a term used to describe the largest battle ships every constructed by humanity. Each Mega Carrier houses the equivalent number of Mobiru and Space Fighters as an entire fleet. Each Mega Carrier is, bar none, the most powerful ship in every battle it enters. The Martians were the first to construct these massive Carriers and used them with great success in the Ares War. The Saladin-class Mega Carrier is the most advanced ship every fielded by any country. It's fast, maneuverable and has enough fire power to fight battle by itself. The Russians were the second country to create a Mega Carrier, though their Rodina-class ship was constructed by fusing six damaged Mobiru Carrier together. Though the Rodina is not as fancy or as high tech as the Saladin-class Carrier, the Rodina more than makes up for that by being a symbol of Russian ingenuity. Regardless of their origin, the Mega Carrier concept has radically altered standard Space warfare forever.

'¢   Mobiru: Mobiru are advanced humanoid-shaped Robots originally piloted by humans to aid in the creation of space colonies. The North American Union, in conjunction with Kyozai Electronics, created the first Mobiru designed for warfare. Since that time, Mobiru have become (along with Space Jets) a mainstay of modern warfare. Typically modern Mobiru are 20 to 30 feet tall and utilize a variety of weapons, notably beam cannons, bazookas and Beam Blades.

'¢   Morocco, Republic of: An independent country on earth that is despised by the African Union for its willingness to help throw off the yoke of the United Nations.

'¢   Nations, United: The UN was originally a loose confederation of independent countries that grew into a world nation following the pop of the Space Bubble in the 2060's. The UN became increasingly autocratic and harsh in its treatment of spacers. The King of Elysium rose in revolt and eventually expelled the UN from both Mars and Earth. The UN retreated to the L3 Colony Cluster, where it has been hold up since.

'¢   Orbital Defense Network (ODN): An independent branch of the Martian military tasked with Orbital Defense. ODN is headquartered in Deimos but also has a base in Phobos. Much of its military capacity is classified however, large particle cannons, fusion missiles and the Barbarossa-class Mega Carrier Lusignan is believed to be a part of ODN.

'¢   Palmdale Corp.: Palmdale is a corporation based out of the ML5 Colony Cluster. Palmdale currently specializes in the construction of the four principle ships of the Martian Navy (the Barbarossa-class Mega Carrier, the Godfrey-class Light Carrier, the Adhemar-class Light Frigate and the Radwan-class Heavy Frigate). Palmdale's subsidiary '" Taranto Partnership '" specializes in making the Alexius-class Assault Ship, which is the mainstay of  the Demari navy.

'¢   Panchina, People's Republic of:  The country that rules all of China plus eastern indo-china and half of central Asia. The People's Republic maintains a strict policy of neutrality unless a threat is perceived to its internal and/or national security. Militarily the Panchinese are typically ranked third out of the Terran Super Powers, though the destruction of the Fleet during the Ares War has weakened its position.  

Rebellion, Dutch: The Dutch Rebellion was centered around the terrorist attacks of radical Augmen during the mid-2070's. The Rebellion ended with the first offensive use of Anti-Matter Missiles, the deaths of nearly 2 million people and the founding of the Caesarean Empire.

'¢   Santa Ana Electronics: SAE is a ML4-based corporation that was instrumental in supplying Mars with Mobiru during the Nation War, a policy that was maintained during the Ares War. SAE has many anti-Totality sympathies and often (though secretly) supplies Mobiru and ships to the Maquis.

SolNet: SolNet is the term used to describe what was the Internet once it expanded beyond the Earth. SolNet requires the use of large data relay satellites, stationed in and around Inner Sol. SolNet also allows users to 'deep dive' (where by a person downloads a portion of his consciousness into the net as a means of virtually representing ones self in virtual reality at speeds a thousand times greater than if one were using conventional virtual reality software). Deep Diving is very popular with Artmen as it is much safer for the artificial brain to download segments of itself (non-Artmen can return from Deep Diving as vegetables).  

'¢   South America, Confederation of: The CSA is a union of the entire South American continent along with many Caribbean nations. The Confederation's capital is Sucre (located in Bolivia). The CSA is seen as the weaker force within the Alliance.

'¢   Taiwan, Republic of: A small independent country on earth that maintains a large electronics industry.

'¢   Totality, Martian: The country that rules the Mars Sphere, led by renowned war hero Wilhelm Du-Klein, King of Elysium.  The Totality is a single party state that focuses on nationalism, Martianism. The Totality is often viewed as humanity's alternative and counterweight to the fractious Terran Super Powers. The Totality has been the subject of much notoriety (and derision) for the parts it played during the Nation and Ares wars.    

'¢   Union, African: The pacifist nation that rules all of Africa except Morocco and Madagascar. The country has been passionately devoted to peaceful ways. The Union met the Martian occupation with peaceful protests. Their pacifist response was largely claimed to be a key factor in ending the Ares War.

'¢   Union, European: The political union of Europe, the Europeans have struggled with finding their place in the new world order following the Nation War. There are three major political parties with in Europe that tend to be deadlocked within the European Parliament and thus stall most attempts at creating a unified foreign policy that could rival the Russians or the Alliance.

'¢   Union, North American: The NAU was originally formed by what were the nations of the United States, Canada and Mexico (which grew to encompass the rest of the continent). NAU is a constituent Country of the Western Alliance. Its capital is at Balta (located in North Dakota). The Union is the guiding force within the Alliance, given that the bulk of the Alliance Navy is of North American origin. The current Alliance President, Rachel Kent, is a North American.

[ooc]I aplogize for my lack of updates as of late. Sickness, School and my other hobbies have killed my time. I just wanted to remind everyone that you are free to take this setting's badge if you so choose!

 
 [url=http://www.thecbg.org/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?78097] [img]http://gi163.photobucket.com/groups/t317/NMF555DDQH/pip3.png[/img] [/url] [/ooc]

Seventy one years ago a young Scottish man named David L. Hume wrote a small pamphlet and freely distributed it across the SolNet. This Pamphlet, Novus Libertas, described the history of humanity as a mere stepping stone to a new, peaceful world; a world where the United Nations did not subject the people to unspeakable hardships. The goal of Novus Libertas was to incite people take actions that would lead to the down fall of the UN.

[ic]'Rise comrades, rise up against your oppressive masters who seek nothing less than that which you cannot give '" your soul. They have taken our bodies, indoctrinated our youth but we all remember a time before their blue darkness spread across the world. Rise up comrades, RISE UP!'

~ David L. Hume, excerpt from Novus Libertas[/ic]

Another man, Johannes Van Rijn, heard the call to arms and incited what came to be known as the Dutch Rebellion. By hacking into the Dutch Water Authority, Van Rijn was able to systematically flood the whole of Holland. While the UN's eyes were fixed on humanitarian problems in the Netherlands, a woman named Deidre Hartog, hacked into the United Nations European Regional Stock Market and siphoned off twenty trillion dollars into an unnamed Venusian bank account. At the same moment another hacker, Frans Ballot, hacked into the European Satellite Missile Defense Shield (ESMDS) and utilized it to fire three tactical anti-matter missiles around the United Nation's capital of Seoul. Three hours later, Mr. Hume distributed an additional pamphlet that demanded the head of the UN Secretary General Dong's head as well as the dissolution of the entire United Nations organization. One hour later, Secretary Dong made a speech declaring Hume, and any sympathizers, to be terrorists.

[ic]'These people do not reflect the equalitarian view of Terrans. They are scoundrels that seek to fill us with unease and dread. They are no better than the bank robbers of old. We, the people of Earth, do not negotiate with Terrorists.'

~ Secretary General Dong of the United Nation at a press conference. [/ic]

Two hours later, Frans Ballot once again hacked into ESMDS and targeted the world's 20 largest cities. Once again Mr. Hume distributed a pamphlet that demanded the head of Secretary Dong or else thousands of innocent lives would be lost. Three minutes later, a video was posted on the SolNet that showed the Vice Secretary General shooting Dong right between the eyes.

All was quiet for five hours.

By this time, the Earth Investigation Bureau (EIB), traced the locations of each hacker, as well as the location of Mr. Hume. In a simultaneous strike, each house was struck. However, each house was devoid of both life and amenities save for a single computer each. Two minutes after the strike began, each of the world's twenty largest cities were struck by missiles, effectively destroying the center of each city. A letter was then posted on SolNet that called for the death of all Naturals and the liberation of all those who lived in Space.

A large ship was then detected above the skies of Seoul; this ship was called the Caesarea. One final note was posted on the SolNet:

[ic]'We are the future of Humanity. We are not bound by Homo Sapiens's laws, traditions or cultures. We have ascended to a new level of existence that surpasses the comprehension of all naturals. We are the superior breed; Naturals have no right to live.'  

~ David L. Hume posted while the Caesarea hovered over Seoul. [/ic]

With that, the Caesarea left Earth and the Inner Solar System, voyaging out into the abyss beyond the Asteroid Belt, not to be seen or heard from again until the Ares War, nearly seventy years later.

 [ic]"The Rebellion itself had the dramatic effect of creating a sentiment of ill content with in the whole United Nations that would linger on to this day. Granted, it was soon revealed that the assassination of Secretary-General Dong was a hoax and that only one of his look-a-likes was shot but this fact was not widely dispersed for days after the incident. In that time several of the regional Unions edged close to declaring independence. Thankfully none declared such a foolish action as the bulk of the military was still controlled (both directly and indirectly) by the UN.

It can be said, however, that it proved the world, and the solar system at large, were not as peaceful and content as the Secretary General had believed. This inevitably led to the Great Crackdown of 2077, which saw the executions of nearly 10,000 'suspected Caesareans.' A large percentage of those killed were of Martian origin, thus giving fuel to King Du-Klein's speeches prior to the onset of the Nation War. Further, as we all know the Caesareans are now a wild card with in the Solar System. Their covert fleet aided the Martians during the Ares War and ensured the Russian Talia Group's defeat on several occasions. These Augmen, who are radical even by Martian standards, are widely believed to be the greatest threat to Solar Peace in the current era."

"Do you really believe that Professor Young?"

"Yes, yes I do. It is not a matter of if they will attack, but when."

~ Professor Bill Young of the Balta Union University during an on-campus interview.
[/ic]

[ooc]I've decided to flesh out some of the history before I move on to more of the countries as it will make everything else make sense. I apologize to those who dislike this policy change :( [/ooc]

[ooc]Hmm, Does this idea not work for everyone? If no one likes it then I will continue along my original path interspersing it with pertinent historical posts.

Which do you guys prefer? [/ooc]

Either way should be fine, as long as you manage to keep things internally consistent.

It's never a good sign when you have a typo sneak in a poster pic :o

Some terms that would be good to have added to the glossary:
* Artmen
* Augmen
* Colony Cluster
* Kumimoto
* Mass Launcher
* Mega carrier
* Venus

Quote from: GhostmanIt's never a good sign when you have a typo sneak in a poster pic :o

Some terms that would be good to have added to the glossary:
* Artmen
* Augmen
* Colony Cluster
* Kumimoto
* Mass Launcher
* Mega carrier
* Venus

Lol, see I put that there so fans like yourself would post... :P

Great idea on the terms, I'll add them later tonight :)

GOOD NEWS!!!!!!

I managed to convince my players that this would be a fun setting to play in!

Sadly this news does mean it will take me longer to do those promised write ups... BUT I am planning on doing a campaign log of sorts. We'll see how it goes. One caveat, you know how campaigns go sometimes - Wild and crazy nights lead to nuclear war and all... So I will only pull the best threads from the campaign down into my official cannon.  

Warning Class OGC Content:___ All content contained in this post is from an on-going campaign, it's continuity is dubious unless explicitly stated.

 [ooc=2143 August 23rd]A mere handful of years stand between the present day the the horrors of the last war. Peace stands upon a sword's edge. Few know what the future will bring but most, if not all, know it entails more death, more slaughter, more war...

 [ic=The Sean Beck Show, Aug. 23rd.]America, we are standing on the edge on a very, very deep chasm. The solar system just isn't a friendly place anymore and we have no one to thank except ourselves. We lost the path the founders of North America set forth oh those many years ago. Today we send trillions of Ameros to the Western Alliance. What do we really get for that? An incompetent administration run by war mongers? A defensive shield that protects an entire continent that pays little for it's security? A new Armada filled with the most advanced (and expensive) Mobirus that the Alliance can muster?

No, America, no. I say this Alliance is a piece of... huh, caught myself that time. This Alliance is not worth the ink it was written with. WE the hard working people of NORTH America protect those hippies in SOUTH America... Yeah, I know what you're thinking "But gee Sean, can't we all just get along?" NO! No we cannot just 'get along.' We are running ourselves into the poor house to protect people that neither want, need or desire our protection.

Now, let me deviate a bit and mention God. Yes God. I know it isn't popular with Corporate but, I feel there is a great awakening coming for our country. We have drifted away from God and his teachings because of modern technology; it's too fast, too shiny... Hell we even conquered space but, BUT, but let me tell you God is still there, high above, watching each and every one of us. He knows you better than you know yourself and all he wants is you to open yourself to his word, his message...

Now, let me tell you about the Sponsor for this half hour - Gold Mug Syrup. Yes Gold Mug, the best name in Syrup since 2031. It's rich and buttery texture will...

*End Transmission*  [/ic]


[ic=Classified Document: Project Hunter] From: Colonel Jack Berry

To: Division Admiral John Stern


Subj: Project Hunter Mid-Mission Report

Mission Objectives: 1) Capture Peanut, Butter and Jelly; 2) Destroy Lemon; 3) Obtain Lime; 4) ensure survival of Turtle.

---- 2143, August 24th - As you know from their personal files forwarded to your office, Mr. "Red Bear" and Mr. "Bane" are of above average skill (even for a Guardian Personnel). They were assigned to the Osterhaus, captained by Hotaka Ito, as ordered. At 0100 hundred Hours this morning they were placed into two class X9 Probes and shot into Martian Territory. From there they were picked up by the Martian Splinter Organization known as the Maquis. While on-board they were forced to eliminate the Maquis for an unknown reason. It seems our spy, one Pilot Van Norden, was unable to contain the situation. Regardless, the ship rendezvoused with freighter and was cleared for docking at the O'Brian Colony in the ML4 Cluster. From there, the three posed as day workers from Martian Province of Wong and obtained entrance to the colony on that basis. While on a Transport barge, the three operatives were forced to eliminate two Martian Patrol Officers and several Drones. Photographs of the fight were taken and transmitted to the nearest Patrol Hub located near mission objective 3 codenamed 'Lime.' As of yet these files have not been purged. Prior to our last communique burst, the three were able to infiltrate the Santa Anna Research Center on Santa Anna Island. The group made contact with 'Turtle' and have thus far kept his cover intact. Currently they are making their way towards Obtaining Lime. The current time is 17 hundred hours.

[/ic][/ooc]